Tuesday, 26 May 2026 (10 Dhuʻl-Hijjah 1447 AH)
Question: when a person is praised for something that is not actually in him, and a measure of joy enters his heart in accordance with normal human nature—while he neither seeks to be praised for what he does not possess nor desires it—does he incur blame for that joy? And does he fall under those whom Allah described in His saying: “They love to be praised for what they did not do, so do not think that they are safe from punishment” [Āl ʿImrān:188]?
The answer is: there is no blame upon him in that, nor does any censure or reproach attach to him. This is because he played no role in bringing it about, nor did any cause originate from him. The praise issued from another without his instruction, request, or causation, and the joy that arose within him stems from human nature. He has no power to rid himself entirely of that natural disposition, and “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity” [al-Baqarah:286].
As for those in whose condemnation the verse was revealed, they—Allah knows best—desired to be praised for what they had not done, strove to obtain such praise, and sought it deliberately. When it was achieved, they rejoiced in it, and when it was not, they were distressed. In most narrations, they were the Jews.
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.3